It is important to acknowledge when you feel overwhelmed or distressed, to pay attention to your personal behaviours, body rhythm and physical health, and when you should become concerned.
Resting
The adult human body requires between 7 to 8 hours of rest for robust health. Sleep deprivation affects the mind and body and can increase stress levels, moodiness and irritation and negatively impact mental alertness and physical energy. At the end of the day, it is essential to find ways to relax and let go. Establish a routine before going to bed and make sure to get enough “Deep Sleep,” allowing for brain rejuvenation. If not enough “Deep Sleep” is accomplished the body will compensate by shortening other sleep cycles, including the REM cycle. If this cycle is shortened, the brain does not have an opportunity to process and integrate emotions, memories and stress from that day, leaving you emotionally deprived.
Eat Well
Good nutrition fuels the body and provides the building blocks that help a person handle the stresses of everyday life. Work requires considerable physical and mental energy; consuming foods such as fruits and vegetables will ensure you are functioning at the highest level of fitness. With a busy schedule, short lunches and paperwork it is easy to skip meals, eat unhealthy meals or snacks and over-consume caffeinated beverages. These things add little nutritional value, if any, to personal wellbeing. The goal is to consume a balanced diet, eating foods from each food group, drinking lots of water and eating three balanced meals a day, along with healthy snacks. By eating the proper foods the body is able to restore lost vitamins, minerals and nutrients, an essential part of maintaining your overall health.
Exercise
Exercising improves individual physical fitness and mental wellbeing. During exercise endorphins are released, decreasing stress levels and improving endurance, health, mental clarity and fitness. It is suggested that individuals spend 30 minutes a day doing some form of moderate exercise. Activities such as taking a walk, jogging, riding a bike, swimming or aerobic classes and weight training improve physical fitness and increase energy levels. In addition to the physical benefits, exercise has also been proven to stimulate memory.
Relaxing & Rewarding
On occasion it is crucial to do something for yourself. It is vital to remember you must also care for yourself. This can be accomplished by participating in exercises such as yoga, prayer, meditation, Tai chi and reflective writing. These techniques allow you to escape from the busy world and become one with your soul, giving you time to recharge your spirit.
Reflecting
Think about your life, what is important and what is not. A person rarely gets everything they want. Be careful not to dwell in negativity. The mind is powerful. The more negative our thoughts about things, the more our actions become negative or more reflective of those thoughts. We behave as we think. Learn to live a joyful life, doing your best and let the rest take care of itself. Strive to do well in all things and be thankful. It is important to remember things could be a whole lot worst, no one is perfect, and as long as there is life, there is another chance. There are a number of exercises that can be used throughout the day to allow you to stop and reflect on things. A good way to prepare your mind and body for reflection is learning deep breathing exercises and listening to soft music.
Time Management
Use the time you have wisely. It is critical to use a calendar and prioritize those things in your life that must be done. Remember, no one can do everything and no matter how hard you try you will never be able to make everyone in your life happy. Commit only to those things you feel passionate about and learn to say no to things that do not fit into your plans and priorities. Organize your day but also remain flexible. No matter what our plans include, things will occur to change those plans. Being prepared to make necessary adjustments lessens the pressure you may feel.
Humour
Laugh until it hurts. It is difficult to be sad and happy at the same time. Laughter releases endorphins, which are responsible for improving your mood and helping you to relax. Learn to laugh at yourself and find humour in life stressors. Do not take things so seriously that you miss out on the beauty of laughter and the opportunity to see things through a different lens. On occasion, engage in an amusing comedy show or film and always keep a book of good jokes on hand.